# network printer
**Wikidata**: [Q1979014](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1979014)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/network-printer

## Summary
A network printer is a printer connected to a computer network, allowing multiple users to send print jobs from different devices to the same printer. It functions as a shared peripheral, enhancing efficiency in environments like offices or homes with multiple computers.

## Key Facts
-   **Classification:** A network printer is a subclass of printer, which is defined as a computer peripheral that prints text or graphics.
-   **Example Model:** The Samsung Xpress SL-C480FN is a specific instance of a network printer, described as a multifunction color laser printer with fax modem and ethernet connection.
-   **Sitelink Count:** The entity "network printer" has only 1 sitelink recorded.
-   **Wikipedia Availability:** Information about network printers is available in the German language on Wikipedia.
-   **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** The entity has a Google Knowledge Graph ID: /g/123190db.

## FAQs
### Q: How does a network printer work?
A: A network printer connects to a local area network (LAN) via Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Computers on the same network can then send print jobs to the printer's network address, allowing shared access without direct physical connection to each computer.

### Q: What are the main benefits of using a network printer?
A: Network printers eliminate the need for each computer to have its own dedicated printer, reducing costs and clutter. They improve efficiency by allowing multiple users to access a single high-capacity printer from their respective workstations.

### Q: What is required to set up a network printer?
A: Setup typically involves connecting the printer to the network (via Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi), installing necessary drivers on the computers, and configuring the printer's network settings so it can be discovered by other devices on the network.

### Q: Are network printers secure?
A: Basic network printers can be vulnerable if not properly secured. Best practices include changing default passwords, enabling firewalls, using secure network protocols (like WPA2/WPA3 for Wi-Fi), and restricting access to authorized users only.

## Why It Matters
Network printers fundamentally changed how printing resources are managed in shared environments. By centralizing printing capability, they solve the problem of inefficient resource allocation and reduce the total cost of ownership compared to multiple individual printers. They enable collaborative workflows in offices, schools, and homes, allowing users to print from any device connected to the network. This shared access model promotes efficiency, reduces hardware clutter, and simplifies maintenance and supply management. The ability to place printers optimally within a building, rather than near specific computers, further enhances workplace flexibility and productivity.

## Notable For
-   **Shared Access:** Its defining characteristic is the ability to be accessed and used by multiple users and devices over a computer network, unlike locally connected printers.
-   **Network Connectivity:** It incorporates network interfaces (like Ethernet) as a core feature, distinguishing it from printers requiring direct USB or parallel port connections.
-   **Multifunction Integration:** Specific models, like the Samsung Xpress SL-C480FN, integrate network connectivity with additional functions such as scanning, copying, and faxing.

## Body
### Definition and Classification
A network printer is a type of printer specifically designed to connect to a computer network. It is classified as a subclass of the broader entity "printer," which is defined as a computer peripheral that produces a physical text or graphics representation of digital documents.

### Connectivity and Functionality
Network printers connect to a network, typically via an Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi, allowing them to receive print jobs from multiple computers or devices on that network. This shared access model is their primary functional distinction from printers connected directly to a single computer via USB or other local interfaces. An example of a network printer is the Samsung Xpress SL-C480FN, which is described as a multifunction color laser printer featuring a fax modem and an ethernet connection.

### Representation and Availability
The entity "network printer" has limited representation in structured knowledge bases. It has only one sitelink recorded. Information about network printers is available in the German language on Wikipedia. It is also identified in the Google Knowledge Graph with the ID /g/123190db.